AUBURN, Alabama -- Auburn has been through the grinder and back following a string of injuries in the middle of preseason camp.

After battling through 12 injuries on defense, a handful on offense and the usual fallout of cramps in the summer heat, the Tigers feel good heading into the final practice of the week.

"We definitely have," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said of the Tigers getting healthier. "I'd say probably most teams have a lot of nicks and bruises and all that in fall camp, that's part of the process. Strategically, you make sure your guys are healthy and fresh before the first game and we've definitely started that process."

One notable player back on the field is defensive end LaDarius Owens, who developed an infection in one of his surgically-repaired legs. He returned to practice earlier this week and is expected to contribute in the season opener Aug. 30 against Arkansas as he continues to work his way into the rotation and potentially win a starting job.

"He's responded well. The good thing for him is he's a veteran guy," Malzahn said. "He knows exactly everything with our defense and our calls and everything that goes with that. He's come back and done well."

Auburn will conduct a dress rehearsal inside Jordan-Hare Stadium on Friday -- players will dress in their game-day gear, travel to the stadium and use their own lockers like any other Saturday in the fall -- and then they will take Saturday off before returning to the practice fields Sunday at the Auburn Athletics Complex.

From there, it's game week for the No. 6 Tigers. Arkansas comes to Jordan-Hare Stadium on Aug. 30 for a 3 p.m. kickoff on the SEC Network.

Practices Wednesday and Thursday were the hottest yet of preseason camp, with temperatures hitting 90 and 91 degrees. The temperature is expected to hit a new high Friday at 97 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

"It's going real well, you know, practicing out in the heat," defensive lineman Gabe Wright said Saturday. "You might have a tendency to lose focus, but I would say the team's doing really well in that area, especially defensively."

Auburn has made it a point to practice during the hottest part of the day since preseason camp opened Aug. 1. Temperatures have hovered at or near the upper 80s for most of camp.

"I think they handled it pretty well," Malzahn said. "I think yesterday was probably a little more humid but it's good. I think it's going to be in the 90s from what they're telling me next Saturday and it's going to be a hot one. The breeze in our stadium is not much. We've prepared."

The long range forecast calls for temperatures near 90 degrees when the Tigers kick off against the Razorbacks.